MISSION VIEJO – The Capistrano Valley girls volleyball team is getting healthier – and better. And that’s not good news for the rest of the Sea View League.

After experiencing some health issues with its top two setters early this season, the Cougars, understandably, struggled with its consistency. But those days seemed light years away Tuesday night as the Cougars rolled to a 26-24, 25-21, 25-9 sweep over rival El Toro in a Sea View League game at Capistrano Valley High.

“We’re definitely a lot better, and we are getting healthier…knock on wood,” said Cougars 10-year coach Darren Utterback.

The victory- its third in a row – improves Capistrano Valley’s record to 10-9 overall, 3-1 in league. The Cougars trail first-place Aliso Niguel (17-0, 3-0) – who they lost to in a five-game thriller Oct. 2 - by just a half game. El Toro fell to 11-6, 1-2, and is currently tied with San Juan Hills for third place with five games remaining.

Capistrano Valley’s resurgence can be traced to the rise in play of senior setters Alexis Gray and Dana Canning.

Gray suffered a broken forearm, separated shoulder and torn ligaments in her elbow during the club season, and missed the Cougars’ own tournament after sustaining a sprained ankle in a preseason loss to San Clemente. Canning suffered from a back injury earlier this season, but has played every game in the last three weeks.

“It’s huge to have them back and healthy,” said Utterback.

While health issues are favoring the Cougars, the Chargers are heading in the opposite direction.

El Toro came into Tuesday’s game without role players Emily Johns and Hannah Salaya, who both sustained concussions earlier this season. To make matters worse, El Toro lost starting outside hitter Kirstey Markle to a concussion after colliding with another player at 18-18 in Game 1 Tuesday.

“Kirstey is a key player for us, but we’re not making excuses,” said Chargers coach Kristina Taylor. “Capistrano Valley is a really tough team. I’m not going to take anything away from them.”

“It had to affect them,” said Utterback of Markle’s injury. “Missing a leader like that is tough. I think you can tell in Game 3 that making up for her loss caught up to them.”

“It hurt us a little bit,” admitted El Toro senior setter Sarah Paul. “But I just think we were a little off tonight. I don’t expect it to happen again.”

Despite the loss of Markle, El Toro stayed with Capistrano Valley throughout the first two games.

In Game 1, the Chargers twice held six-point leads, and had a match point at 24-23. But a kill by senior outside hitter Brooke Daugherty and two hitting errors by the Chargers gave the Cougars the game.

Game 2 was tied at 15-15 before Capistrano Valley rolled off four consecutive points – three on kills by Daugherty. El Toro got within two twice, but never recovered.

Game 3 was Capistrano Valley’s from the start as it built leads of 8-1, 15-4 and 18-5. Senior middle blocker Kyleigh Schumacher knocked down five her match-high eight kills in the game. Daugherty also had eight kills, while senior Maddie Giles finished with seven and Emily Horner six to go with her six service aces. Gray finished with a game-high 29 assists.

Capistrano Valley finished with 11 service aces, a statistic Taylor was not happy about.

“Our serve-receive was definitely not what it needed to be,” she said. “But Capistrano Valley served tough, and hit their targets.”

Capistrano Valley's Maddie Giles tracks the play as El Toro setter Sarah Paul sets Tuesday evening at Capistrano Valley High. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley's Emily Horner knocks down this kill over the block of El Toro's Ashley Quintilone and Rebekah Erdman during Tuesday's match at Capistrano Valley High. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
El Toro's Sarah Paul reaches high for the blcok during Tuesday's first set against Capistrano Valley. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley's Brooke Dougherty delivers this roll shot over the block of El Toro's Sarah Paul, left, and Rebekah Erdman during Tuesday's Sea View League match at Capistrano Valley High. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
El Toro's Olivia Aguilar, left, and Sarah Paul attempt to recover the ball after a solid block by Capistrano Valley's Kyleigh Schumacher, left, and Hailey Gaines on Tuesday evening. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
El Toro blockers Sarah Paul, left, and Olivia Aguilar block this kill attempt against Capistrano Valley Tuesday evening. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley's Maddie Giles blasts a hit through El Toro blockers Sarah Paul, left, and Olivia Aguilar Tuesday in a Sea View League match at Capistrano Valley High. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
El Toro's Ashley Quintilone delivers this shot as Capistrano Valley's Kyleigh Schumacher reaches high for a block Tuesday evening at Capistrano Valley High. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley's Claire Quick hits over the block of El Toro's Ashley Quintilone and Rebekah Erdman during a Sea View League match tuesday at Capistrano Valley High. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Capistrano Valley's Brooke Dougherty hit through El Toro blockers Rebekah Erdman, left, and Sarah Paul Tuesday. Dougherty finished with a game-high eight kills. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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